A South Carolina woman entrusted with managing a residential care facility resident’s finances is accused of using the resident’s debit card for her own benefit, according to state prosecutors.
Dionne L. Robinson, 56, of Camden, held power of attorney for the resident, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
Robinson was booked into the Kershaw County Detention Center on Oct. 12, 2026. South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced two felony charges the following day: exploitation of a vulnerable adult and financial transaction card fraud.
The person whose money was allegedly misused lived in a residential care facility during the reported conduct. The Attorney General’s Office will prosecute the case, and Robinson has not been convicted of the offenses.
Prosecutors Allege Debit Card Was Used Without the Resident’s Permission
The Attorney General’s announcement alleges that Robinson knowingly and willfully made improper or unauthorized use of the resident’s money and assets while acting under the power of attorney. Prosecutors specifically accuse her of using the person’s debit card, with intent to defraud, to obtain money, goods or services for herself without permission.
The investigation was conducted by the office’s Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit, which handles exploitation cases involving residents of care facilities as well as certain Medicaid-related crimes. The announcement does not provide a total loss or a transaction-by-transaction account of the alleged spending.
Power of Attorney Allows Financial Management, Not Ownership
A power of attorney can authorize an agent to pay bills, manage accounts and make other decisions for the person who granted that authority. South Carolina Section 62-8-114 requires an agent to act in good faith, within the authority granted, and in accordance with the person’s known reasonable expectations or otherwise in that person’s best interest.
Except as the power of attorney otherwise provides, agents must keep records of receipts, disbursements and transactions, act loyally for the person they represent and avoid conflicts that undermine their ability to act impartially. The law allows reasonable reimbursement and compensation in appropriate circumstances, but holding a power of attorney does not transfer ownership of the account holder’s money.
The same statute permits the account holder, an authorized guardian or conservator, certain other fiduciaries and qualifying government agencies to request financial records. An agent generally must respond within 30 days or provide a written explanation for needing more time.
Two Felony Counts Carry Potential Five-Year Prison Terms
Under South Carolina Section 43-35-85(D), knowingly and willfully exploiting a vulnerable adult is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both. A court may also order restitution following a conviction.
The second count falls under Section 16-14-60, which addresses fraudulent use of financial transaction cards. When the value involved exceeds $500 within a six-month period, the applicable offense is a felony carrying up to five years in prison, a fine ranging from $3,000 to $5,000, or both. That $500 threshold does not establish the total amount taken from the resident.
Jail records reviewed by The State placed Robinson’s combined bond at $10,000. As of Oct. 13, the report said the bond had not been posted and Robinson remained in custody. The court has not issued a reported finding of guilt.
How Families Can Check for Misuse of Financial Authority
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers guidance for people managing another adult’s finances, including the need to keep accurate records and separate the other person’s money from their own. Family members or representatives with legal access to an account can review debit-card statements, ask about unfamiliar purchases and retain receipts and account records when something appears wrong.
South Carolina Section 43-35-87 also allows a financial institution that reasonably suspects exploitation of a vulnerable adult to decline or temporarily hold certain transactions. That decision is discretionary, so people concerned about unauthorized spending should contact the financial institution promptly rather than assuming a transaction will automatically be blocked.
For concerns involving residents of long-term care facilities, South Carolina’s Long Term Care Ombudsman Program can be reached at 1-800-868-9095. Suspected criminal exploitation should also be reported to law enforcement, with bank records, transaction dates and other relevant documentation preserved.